Artwork & Print Colours

All artwork must be sent in digital format unless colour separated positive film can be supplied with emulsion side upwards (correct reading). Line colours only - no halftones.
Preferred formats are vector-based EPS, PDF, Illustrator or CorelDraw files for PC. All fonts must be converted to curves/outlines. All imported files must be embedded and not linked.
The minimum printable line thickness is 0.17mm (0.5pt) as a positive image and 0.35mm (1pt) as a negative image (reversed out detail)

Bitmap files may sometimes be acceptable, but do normally need cleaning up. Any work involving cleaning up images, typesetting or re-drawing may incur additional charges (price is subject to sight of artwork). Please also specify any Pantone colour matches when you submit your artwork to artwork@promotionalpenshop.co.uk. If you need any assistance with artwork, please do not hesitate to ask.

The Printed Image

The most accurate colour matches can be achieved when Pantone references are provided and the surface being printed is white. In the absence of Pantone references, a colour swatch or previously printed sample is acceptable but colour matches are less accurate in this case. It is not possible to produce accurate colour matches on any surface that is not white.

Surface colour always influences the printed colour (see visual pantone guide below) and it is advisable to order a printed proof if the colour match is critical. If a printed proof is not ordered, we will assume that our best attempt to match the colour reference requested is acceptable to you, given the constraints or limitations of the ink system in use and the nature and colour of the surface being printed.

As a general rule, orders for bright colours to be printed onto dark surfaces will be the least accurate, eg. white printed onto black will appear light grey when compared with true white and all basic Pantone colours and all central Pantone colours will appear dull when printed onto black or coloured surfaces.

This shows how a number of popular pantone colours might appear when printed onto coloured pens. The colours shown should not be taken as precise colour matches as the visual guide is purely to illustrate how the colours are affected when printed onto coloured substrates.

Metallic inks (gold and silver) have a reduced life due to their formulation. No guarantee for adhesion, chemical resistance (including perspiration) or abrasion resistance can be given on these colours. Some products can be over-varnished (at additional cost) to protect metallic colours and this should be requested in writing at the time of placing your order.

Providing the image and the product remains the same, you can have your design printed in different colours. Please allow an "ink colour change" charge every time the colour changes. Please ask for details.